MEN'S 147 COASTAL SAILING JACKET AND BIBS

Here is a tip: Never go to ICELAND in the spring, without a rain suit. The cabs are too expensive, the streets are difficult to navigate, fuel is high priced, and, you will miss out on most of the fun, if you do not walk everywhere you can. Umbrellas are useless because of the wind, and the locals think you are insane if you carry an umbrella. Pack to dress in layers, and take your rain gear. The locals also think you are eccentric if you allow rain to discourage you from doing... pretty much anything, so carry on regardless.Navis sold me a substantial two piece rain suit (jacket and pants) for what others were charging for a nice rain jacket. There is a bit of a trade off. The more expensive jackets are "sportier". They are more fashion forward. The Navis set, is "all business". Industrial grey (or dark blue) and looking like you just stepped off the ocean oil platform, or fishing vessel. Lots of storm flaps, and Velcro closures. Insulating lining, that never got clammy in the cool wet weather. Real fabric, not plastic film, and snazzy reflector patches, so you can be found in the dark, or not be hit by a car, crossing a street. I thought maybe I would look too industrial, and people would be put off. Really nice people in Iceland, who do not have a problem with function usurping fashion if it has a practical purpose.I was vindicated when I went into one of the premier (read: expensive) clothing stores named, "66 North". They had an almost exact duplicate of my rain suit on the rack, (same color) priced at three times what I paid for Navis. I however, did not have the very fashionable "66 North" logo patches on mine. I stayed dry. I had a great time. Just what I needed to be comfortable while I was sight seeing. The attached hood, stored in the collar, was functional, but hard to manage in the wind, because it is light weight. I picked up a water repellent wool knit cap that solved that problem. Even if I put the hood up over the cap, it stayed in place much better. Some other reviewers said they got wet. I did not have that problem (so far). The fit was "roomy" on me. That is how I wanted it, for freedom of movement, air circulation, and space to layer warmer clothes under it as needed.

If you don't need full offshore foul weather gear from a premium brand, these will fill the bill. They have many of the same features as Helly Hansen, Musto or Henri Lloyd. Lots of pockets, overlapping zipper flaps, velcro at the jacket and pants cuffs, etc. They are properly waterproof and fit well. I wish I had bought the size Large, rather than XL. At 5' 9" and 190lbs, I wanted plenty of room for fleece or other thicker layers. They are a bit too big. With some cheap boots from West Marine I have a set for about $250, as compared to the premium brands for several times that. I don't know if I would want to sit on the rail of a racing boat taking water over the bow for hours on end, but they would withstand the occassional spray and rain storm.

MUCH better than expected. You get alot of features only found on much higher priced rain gear. Shopped several sporting goods stores and was not pleased at what I found. Took a chance and ordered these and SURPRISE"Great Rain Gear" for the money. I think they run a little large. I normally wear XL shirt so ordered a XL was to big but the large was much better. They are full cut made to fit over other gear. HAPPY HAPPY

Great rain suit. Used it for a week fishing in October in northern MN, 30-40 degrees weather. Rain, snow, sleet and wind. Zero complaints. All the zippers, pockets, Velcro worked well. No poor stitches anywhere. Dress in layers, ample room and kept me warm. Bibs have an additional internal rain fly, which helps to keep water from soaking through. XL, I’m 6’0, 220#. Would definitely recommend.

Nice foul weather gear for the price. Their main shortcoming is that the legs don't open at all so you need to remove your shoes to put them on or remove the pants. I found the hood works much better with a baseball cap underneath so the front of the hood does not drop down over your eyes. I have not had them in a severe rain yet, but their design features should make them work well.